Good preparation for Ashes - Clarke

Australian captain Michael Clarke believes the upcoming ODI tour of England will be helpful preparation for next year's Ashes Series, but he maintain his men are not yet thinking about regaining the urn. The ODI squad flew out on Thursday for a 5-match series against England and one in Ireland. Australia A will also follow the national team to England in July and August to play 2 three-day and 2 four-day matches.

The result is that the vast bulk of Australia's likely Ashes squad will have the chance to explain - or reacquaint - themselves with English situation a year out from the Test series. For young men like Pat Cummins and James Pattinson the experience will be especially valuable as they aim to become familiar with the Duke Ball, the variation in swing and seam group and the venues they will see come Ashes time.

It is important they get some cricket in English conditions, whether that with the ODI team or they stay on with the Australia a team and play a couple of those games, Clarke said of his youthful bowlers. But I think just life form in England, seeing what conditions are like; if they get a chance grab it with both hands.

The Ashes is a long way from my mind right now. But any chance you get to play in the same conditions as you are going to play in 12 or 15 months' time can only be good for a team. I think a lot of guys caught up in this ODI squad have a big chance of being part of the Ashes team in 12 months' time. I think it's really imported we get as used to to those conditions as we can and have some success over there.

This week, the Australians were presented with the ICC's ODI shield after finishing the season as the No.1-ranked ODI side, despite their struggle at the World Cup last year. In the past 12 months, Clarke men have win just over half of their ODI matches and while they haven't lost a series during that time, they have had some close including a 2-2 draw with West Indies in March.

We’ve been the No.1one-day team in the world for a while now, Michael Clarke said. But we need to continue to raise the bar. I think our cricket in the shorter form of the game of late has not been as consistent as we would like. Once we get on a plane today it's most likely the start of a 2-year journey for this Australian team, whether it is the ODI team, the Test team or the T20 team, to have a lot of winner and get back to being the No.1 team in all 3 forms of the game.

Australia will need to find their peak ODI form without one of their top players, after Michael Hussey withdrew from the tour. Peter Forrest has been drafted into the squad to replace Hussey but he might not at first find a place in the starting line-up, with Clarke, George Bailey, David Hussey and Steven Smith all available for middle-order positions. Clarke said there was no doubt in his mind who would take the Michael Hussey role of routing the middle-order towards the end of difficult chases.

Fortunately God gave us a brother to Michael Hussey, Clarke said. We are very lucky we have got David. Last summer I think he got to show the nation that he cannot just play at the highest level but can be very victorious. I am pretty sure while Mike Hussey is away, Dave Hussey will be there to fill those boots.

Australia won’t be the only ones missing a key senior batsman during the series, which will be England's 2nd since the retirement of Kevin Pietersen from the format. The Australians will keep an eye on how England perform without Pietersen during the upcoming ODI series against West Indies, but Clarke said he was pleased the Australians would not have to worry about counter him this year.

I am surprised that he retired from the shorter form of the game, because of how excellent he is, Clarke said. And he's only 31 years of age. Clearly the ENGLAND CRICKET BOARD has different rules to Australian players in regard to our contracts - I'm not part of the T20 team but I am still eligible to play ODI cricket and vice-versa.

As an opponent player to Kevin Pietersen, I am thrilled I don't have to play against him in ODI cricket because he is such an excellent player. He is had a lot of success and he is match-winner. But excellent players for England Team in their team, they enjoy the shorter form of the game, they have got some good talent coming during and they are running high with self-confidence after just beating West Indies.

Mohammad Aamer meets Pakistan Cricket Board

Pakistan cricket bosses have held talks with the convicted Bowler Mohammad Aamer for the 1st time since he was released from a British jail in February, a top official said on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old volunteered to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board as part of what the leading body said was a prelude to his "rehabilitation" after he was found responsible of spot-fixing during a Test match at Lord's in 2010.

Aamer was banned for a minimum of 5 years by the International Cricket Council along with pace partner Mohammad Asif and ex-captain Salman Butt. He met the PCB last week. We have recently had 2 contacts with Aamer during which he was debriefed and was asked some question which we do not want to reveal in the media, Pakistan Cricket Board chief working officer Subhan Ahmed told.

The 3 players were jailed by a court in Britain for accepting corrupt payment and infringement of the gambling act. The ICC tribunal which banned the trio directed them to attend a treatment process under the ICC and PCB.They were accused of contrive to bowl deliberate no-balls in return of money. Asif was free earlier this month while Butt is still serving his 30-month judgment.

The debriefing was not part of the rehab, but we will soon talk about the matter with the ICC and start his treatment," said Ahmed.Last month Aamer appeared in an education video of the ICC's Anti-corruption and security unit, notice the future generations of how to avoid the pitfall of fixing.PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has describe Aamer as "an asset" and assured his Board will do all possible for the brilliant paceman's return to the game.

Ahmed said Asif has not been in making contact with the PCB as he was still in England after his release. Asif has made no contact with us and as he has decided to appeal next to the ICC ban, nothing can be done before he finishes with that," said Ahmed.

Sri Lanka name squad released for Pakistan series

Sri Lankan on 23-05-12 announced separate Twenty20 and ODI squads for the Home Series against Pakistan starting June month.

Pakistan and Sri Lankan will play 2 Twenty20 games in southern Hambantota on June 1 and 3; followed by 5 ODIs in Pallekele and Colombo from 07-June-12 to 18-June-12

The Sri Lankan squad for the 3-Test series, starting on June 22-12, will be named later

A release from the Sri Lankan board did not name a captain, but veteran Mahela Jayawardene is expected to wait at the helm.

Twenty20 squad	One-day squad
Mahela Jayewardene	Mahela Jayawardene
Tillakaratne Dilshan	Tillakaratne Dilshan
Kumar Sangakkara	Kumar Sangakkara
Dinesh Chandimal	Dinesh Chandimal
Angelo Mathews	Angelo Mathews
Lahiru Thirimanne	Lahiru Thirimanne
Kaushal Lokuarachchi	Jeevan Mendis
Thisara Perera	Thisara Perera
Nuwan Kulasekera	Nuwan Kulasekera
Sachithra Senanayake	Sachithra Senanayake
Lasith Malinga	Lasith Malinga
Chamara Kapugedera	Rangana Herath
Upul Tharanga	Upul Tharanga
Isuru Udana	Nuwan Pradeep
	Dilhara Fernando

Irfan Pathan has Change in bowling action.

Calcutta: Irfan Pathan has made a decent comeback to the Indian team after more than a 2-year hiatus.

Since his return, after improving from a back injury, he has taken 13 wickets from 8 one-day International matches and one from a T20 tie. On Tuesday, Irfan said that change in his bowling action did the deception for him. Obviously, the change in the bowling action is work for me. I’ has worked really hard. It took time to change my action. My position is much straighter at the present, Irfan said.

The 27-year-old pacer said that Delhi DareDevils adviser TA Sekar and head coach Eric Simons helped him when he decisive to change his action. particularly after my back injury, I needed to change my action. So, change was the need of the hour. I also got valuable inputs from Eric,” Irfan said.

Irfan, who had vanished from the national team after start with a bang, his current stint with Team India is his second innings? I take it as a 2nd innings. Not many people come back after injury. But I am lucky that I have been able to come back. I capacity be going for runs in some matches, but you cannot really help it since you can go for run in the casualty over’s or in the Power plays Irfan said.

However, it’s important to maintain taking wickets. I feel really happy with my performance in Australia I had taken fairly a 5 wickets. The Bangladesh tour has not been so good for me… But overall, I’m happy.

Irfan is now all alert to cement his place in the side. And he knows it very well that good show in the IPL is of utmost significance. I will be playing a lot more matches. I will get to bowl at crucial juncture. I never run away from challenges. I just want to enjoy the game, he said.

All Younger’s Roll model Sachin. Said Kohli

Mumbai: Mumbai Indians, on behalf of management, the award function held in Mumbai, master batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

Talking at the event Viraat Kohli said: I was a child; Sachin Tendulkar was my dream to meet up in person. Sachin Tendulkar

After the game of cricket itself an attracted me. At this time, he is playing with when you think that is happiness. I can arrogantly he is said that my role model Sachin Tendulkar.

I just, Young people like me that Sachin Tendulkar is the most excellent guide on the Viraat Kohli said.

Ishant Sharma Doubt IPL Series

New Delhi: Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma the operation has to ankle injury. The 5th IPL. Participating in the series. Indian team is a young fast bowler Ishant Sharma. If you are suffering from long term ankle injury. When England last year2011, to the operation, doctors said that he is after six months and needed a rest.

Since of this, and waited until after the Australian series. Participate in this 4-Test series, and only take 5 wickets only. Then, he returns to India, England and have the operation. India is probable to return to them in a day or two.

Ishant Sharma said a close one, the stitch applied to Ishant, feed. Is divided in 2 or 3. To the 5th IPL Series in Apr-4 starts. Thus, it seems that it would not participate in the series Ishant, he said.

Ishant Sharma, which has complete the operation, because it would require at least 6 months' rest, before the month of September, he is improbable to return to cricket. India, Sri Lanka flanked by the teams, the series will be held in August this year. So he was Participate doubt.

Barath replaces Powell in WI Team

Adrian Barath has replaced fellow opener Kieran Powell in West Indies' 13-member squad for the last 2 ODIs against Australia in St.

Barath has overcome his recent spell of injuries and give firm proof of his fitness with a 100 for his native Trinidad & Tobago against Guyana, the West Indies Cricket board said in a release. Barath batted for more than 3 hours in making 114 in T&T's 1st innings. The final of his 12 ODIs for West Indies was against India in December 2011.

Powell has been left out past making runs 8, 0 and 12 in the 1st 3 ODIs of the 5-match series, which is locked currently at 1-1.

West Indies squad.

Darren Sammy (capt), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh (wk), Tino Best, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels